Hand assist pushing tool for cables

ABSTRACT

A pushing tool for propelling cable into a duct. The pushing tool includes a drive wheel that is coupled with a base and a rotatable handle. A first cable guide and a second cable guide are configured to hold the cable. A duct guide is configured to hold the duct. Furthermore, a tension wheel is configured to interact with the drive wheel such that an orifice is formed between the tension wheel and the drive wheel, the orifice being configured to receive the cable. Upon rotation of the rotatable handle, the drive wheel interacts with the tension wheel to propel the cable into the duct.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/150,265, filed Oct. 2, 2018, pending, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/626,279, filed Feb. 5, 2018,pending, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/566,725, filed Oct. 2,2017, pending. The disclosures of the prior applications are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to a hand assist pushing tool forcables, and more particularly for pushing fiber optical cables into aduct or conduit.

BACKGROUND

Installing fiber optical cables, for example, in a building or structuretypically requires running the cables along a complex route. Forexample, the cables may be run underground or through ceilings, walls,or crawl spaces. Accordingly, it is conventional to use a duct toinstall the cables into the building or structure in order to protectthe cables during the installation. However, the cables must bepropelled through long and narrow ducts in order to reach the desiredlocation. In some installations, the ducts are buried deep undergroundto provide added protection to the cables, which may be damaged ifinstalled incorrectly. Furthermore, buried cables may be beneficial inurban areas or in harsh climate conditions. Placing the cables into theducts and propelling the cables through the ducts can be costly and timeconsuming, particularly in complex installations.

Traditional methods for propelling fiber optic cables into ducts includepulling the cable with a winch rope. However, this technique is limitedto short lengths and requires manpower at both ends of the duct. Othertraditional methods include using pressurized fluid, blowing gas intothe duct, or using an electrical or battery powered machine to propelthe cables into and through the ducts. However, pressurized fluid andblown gas only allows the cables to be installed limited lengths withinthe ducts. Furthermore, electrical and battery powered machines arecostly to produce and may be heavy to operate due to the bulky engine orbattery pack required to operate such machines.

The disclosed system is directed to overcoming one or more of theproblems set forth above and/or other problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a pushing tool for propellingcable into a duct. The pushing tool includes a drive wheel that iscoupled with a base and a rotatable handle. A first cable guide and asecond cable guide are configured to hold the cable. A duct guide isconfigured to hold the duct. Furthermore, a tension wheel is configuredto interact with the drive wheel such that an orifice is formed betweenthe tension wheel and the drive wheel, the orifice is configured toreceive the cable. Upon rotation of the rotatable handle, the drivewheel interacts with the tension wheel to propel the cable into theduct.

According to various aspects, the pushing tool of the present disclosuremay be a hand powered device that does not include a motor or a batteryto propel the cable into the duct.

The pushing tool may further include a hand rest that is configured topivot from a first side of the base to a second side of the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary hand assistpushing tool in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the exemplary hand assist pushing tool ofFIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are enlarged views illustrating a portion of theexemplary hand assist pushing tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary hand assistpushing tool in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the exemplary hand assist pushing tool ofFIG. 4;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are enlarged views illustrating a portion of theexemplary hand assist pushing tool of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are enlarged views illustrating a portion of theexemplary hand assist pushing tool of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are enlarged views illustrating a portion of theexemplary hand assist pushing tool of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary hand assistpushing tool in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the exemplary hand assist pushing tool ofFIG. 9;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are enlarged views illustrating a portion of theexemplary hand assist pushing tool of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is another diagrammatic view of the exemplary hand assistpushing tool of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary disclosed hand assist pushing tool 10 inaccordance with various aspects of the disclosure. The pushing tool isoperable to introduce cable 20 into and through a duct 30. Cable 20 maybe any conventional wire or cable including, for example, fiber opticcables, power cables, or electrical conductive wires. Duct 30 mayinclude any enclosed canal, conduit, tubing, or other enclosed stricturein which cable is typically inserted. Cable 20 and duct 30 may each beof standard lengths and diameters, as is well known in the industry.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pushing tool 10 includes a base 40, amount 100, a drive wheel 80, and a tensioning member 120. The mount 100is configured to be fixedly mounted to the base 40 such that the mount100 does not rotate or translate relative to the base 40. The base 40may be hollow in order to provide a lightweight design of the pushingtool 10. Alternatively, the base 40 may be a solid member in order toprovide increased durability to the pushing tool 10.

A stationary handle 55, an arm rest 60, and a first cable guide 85 maybe coupled to the base 40. The stationary handle 55, the arm rest 60,and the first cable guide 85 may be adjustably coupled to the base 40 byany conventional method such as, for example, an interference fit, aclamping arrangement, a threaded set screw, or the like. In someembodiments, the stationary handle 55, the arm rest 60, and the firstcable guide 85 may be coupled with the base 40 such that the stationaryhandle 55, the arm rest 60, and the first cable guide 85 do not moverelative to the base 40 during operation of the pushing tool 10.

A drive wheel 80 is configured to be coupled with the mount 100 suchthat the drive wheel 80 is capable of rotating relative to the mount100. For example, the drive wheel 80 may be rotatably coupled relativeto a shaft 45 extending from the mount 100. The mount 100 may include abearing or bushing configured to cooperate with a hub of the drive wheel80 in order to provide smooth rotation of the drive wheel 80 relative tothe mount 100. The drive wheel 80 may be removably coupled with themount 100 by a coupling member 81 that cooperates with the shaft 45 orany other conventional means such that the drive wheel 80 remainscoupled with the mount 100 during operation of the pushing tool 10.

A rotatable handle 50 may be coupled with the drive wheel 80 such thatthe rotatable handle 50 is rotatable with the drive wheel 80 relative tothe mount 100 and the base 40. Thus, the rotatable handle 50 can be usedto operate a drive wheel 80. The drive wheel 80 may be comprised ofmetal, for example, aluminum.

The drive wheel 80 may cooperate with the first cable guide 85 and asecond cable guide 90, which is coupled with the mount 100, to guidecable 20 into duct 30. It is also envisioned that only a single one ofthe cable guides 85, 90 may be used or a more than two cable guides(e.g., three, five, etc.) may be used with pushing tool 10. The firstcable guide 85 and the second cable guide 90 may each include an slot86, 91 into which the cable 20 may be inserted. In the exemplarydisclosed embodiments, the slot 86 of the first cable guide 85 extendstransverse to the slot 91 of the second cable guide 90. In some aspects,the first cable guide 85 may be disposed at angle of, for example, 90°relative to the second cable guide 90.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the pushing tool 10 with the rotatable handle50, the stationary handle 55, and the arm rest 60 arranged in a righthand configuration. That is, during use, a user may, for example, placehis left forearm in arm rest 60 and grip stationary handle 55 with hisleft hand while operating the rotatable handle 50 with his right hand.It should be appreciate that the arm rest 60 may be rotated relative tothe base 40, for example, by 180°, so that, in some embodiments, the armrest 60 may move from a first side of the base 40 to a second side ofthe base 40 relative to a longitudinal direction L of the base 40.Additionally, the stationary handle 55 may be rotated with regard tobase 40, for example, by 180°, so that, in some embodiments, thestationary handle 55 may move from the first side of the base 40 to thesecond side of the base 40. In some embodiments, the arm rest 60 and thestationary handle 55 may be configured to move together. Such movementof arm rest 60 and stationary handle 55 may allow both a right-handeduser and a left-handed user to operate pushing tool 10. Accordingly,after arm rest 60 and stationary handle 55 are rotated around base 40,the user may, for example, place his right forearm in arm rest 60 andgrip stationary handle 55 with his right hand while operating rotatablehandle 50 with his left hand. Rotation of arm rest 60 around base 40 maybe completed by pivoting arm rest 60 from the first side of base 40 tothe second side of base 40. Rotation of stationary handle 55 around base40 may be completed by pivoting stationary handle 55 from the first sideof base 40 to the second side of base 40.

The drive wheel 80 may include one or more ridges/notches along itsouter circumferential surface that apply pressure points on cable 20 toreduce slippage of cable 20 in the pushing tool 10. As discussed furtherbelow, the outer circumferential surface 82 of the drive wheel 80 mayform a v-shape. Thus, the ridges on drive wheel 80 may be disposed in adirection transverse to the circumferential direction of the drive wheel80 along the v-shaped outer surface. In some aspects (or embodiments),the ridges on drive wheel 80 may be spaced apart to match the spacing ofcomplementary grooves of a cable, such as for example, a MiniFlex®grooved cable. For example, the centers of the ridges may be spacedapart by the same distance d as the distance d between consecutivegrooves of the cable. Alternatively, the ridges may be spaced apart by adistance nd, where n is a whole number, and d is the distance betweenconsecutive grooves of the cable. The ridges on drive wheel 80 mayinteract with the grooves on the cable to reduce slippage of the cable.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mount 100 may include one or more openings 105through which the shaft 45 may be inserted. Such openings 105 allow therotatable handle 50 (and, thus, drive wheel 80) to be disposed atvarious positions on the pushing tool 10 to accommodate users of varyingsizes. The second cable guide 90 may be integral with the mount 100. Insome embodiments, the second cable guide 90 and the mount 100 form oneunitary member. In alternative embodiments, the second cable guide 90may be secured to the mount 100 using any conventional securingmechanism.

The mount 100 may also include a duct guide 110 through which duct 30may be disposed. Duct guide 110 may include an aperture sized so thatthe duct 30 may be securely positioned within duct guide 110. Forexample, the duct guide 110 may be a quick release connector, as wouldbe understood by persons skilled in the art. As shown in FIG. 2, theduct guide 110 may be disposed on an opposite end of the mount 100 fromthe second cable guide 90. The duct guide 110 may be integral with mount100 in some embodiments such that the duct guide 110 and mount 100 formone unitary member. In alternative embodiments, the duct guide 110 maybe secured to mount 100 using any conventional securing mechanism.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the tensioning assembly 120 is coupledwith the mount 100 via a pin 160 and coupling member 162. In otherembodiments, the tensioning assembly 120 may be secured to the mount 100through any conventional securing mechanism. As shown in FIGS. 3A and3B, tensioning assembly 120 includes a threaded shaft 130 and a moveableconnector 135, which is mounted to the pin 160 for vertical movementrelative to a housing 140. A tension wheel 180 is mounted to the pin 160for rotation relative to the pin 160 and the housing 140.

The tensioning assembly 120 includes actuator 170 that is configured toadjust a tension force on the tension wheel 180, which in turn adjuststhe force that the tension wheel 180 applies to the cable 20 that is fedbetween the outer circumferential surface 82 of the drive wheel 80 andthe tension wheel 180. The actuator 170 is fixedly coupled with movableconnector 135 for vertical movement therewith. Additionally, tensioningassembly 120 may include a spring member 150. The tensioning assembly120 may be secured on the pushing tool 10 so that the tension wheel 180forms an opening 175 with the drive wheel 80. Cable 20 may be disposedwithin the opening 175 as the cable 20 is propelled into duct 30.

Actuator 170 may be manipulated (for example, by manually screwingactuator 170 relative to housing 140) so that actuator 170 may move in adownward direction or an upward direction relative to housing 140.Actuator 170 may be moved downward (closer to drive wheel 80) and upward(further from drive wheel 80) with regard to housing 140. Upon movementof actuator 170 in the downward direction, threaded shaft 130 may alsomove in the downward direction with actuator 170. Such downward movementof threaded shaft 130 may cause moveable connector 135 to also move inthe downward direction, which in turn causes the pin 160 to move in thedownward direction. Such movement then causes tension wheel 180 to movedownward and toward drive wheel 80 so that the size of the opening 175is relatively smaller.

Conversely, movement of actuator 170 in the upward direction may causethreaded shaft 130, moveable connector 135, and pin member 160 to alsomove upward. Such movement may then cause tension wheel 180 to moveupward and away from drive wheel 80 so that the size of the opening 175is relatively larger. Therefore, movement of actuator 170 may be used tocontrol the size of the opening 175. Such movement allows for differentsized cables to be disposed through the opening 175. Additionally, suchmovement allows the tension wheel 180 to apply a desired amount oftension on the cable 20 when cable 20 is being propelled through duct30.

As also shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, spring member 150 on tensioningassembly 120 may bias moveable connector 135 in the downward direction.Such bias may help to apply the desired amount of tension on cable 20.

During use, cable 20 is disposed within the opening 175 with the cable20 also aligned with the duct 30. As discussed above, manipulation ofactuator 170 may cause a downward movement of tension wheel 180 towarddrive wheel 80. Thus, when cable 20 is disposed in the opening 175between tension wheel 180 and drive wheel 80, tension wheel 180 appliesa desired downward pressure on cable 20.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the opening 175 is formed by a v-shapedouter surface 182 of tension wheel 180 and a v-shaped outer surface 82of drive wheel 80. The cable 20 is secured in the opening 175 due to adesired gripping force of the v-shaped outer surfaces of the wheels 80,180, and cable 20 is fed into duct 30. A user can then rotate therotatable handle 50 which is turn rotates the drive wheel 80 relative tothe mount 100. As the drive wheel 80 is rotated, the interaction oftension wheel 180 and drive wheel 80 with the cable 20 propels cable 20forward and into duct 30. Thus, the interaction of tension wheel 180 anddrive wheel 80 prevents or reduces cable 20 from moving backward awayfrom duct 30.

Tension wheel 180 and drive wheel 80 may form a complimentary andinterlocking engagement within the opening 175. For example, as shown inFIG. 3B, drive wheel 80 may include outer edges 185 that radiallyoverlap with tension wheel 180. Furthermore, outer edges 185 of drivewheel 80 may be radially outward of tension wheel 180 when tension wheel180 is engaged with cable 20. This complimentary and interlockingengagement between tension wheel 180 and drive 80 may allow the wheelsto be easily and properly aligned during use.

It is also envisioned that the outer surface of tension wheel 180 and ofdrive wheel 80 may comprise other shapes than a v-shape. For example,these outer surfaces may comprise a rectangular, square, circular, oval,or elliptical shape. Additionally, in some embodiments, the outersurfaces may be chamfered along one or more edges. For example, outeredges 185 of drive wheel 80 may be chamfered. It is also within thescope of the disclosure that the outer surface of tension wheel 180comprises a different shape from the outer surface of drive wheel 80.

Actuator 170 may be lowered and raised relative to drive wheel 80.Accordingly, as discussed above, actuator 170 may be lowered during anoperation state so that tension wheel 180 applies a downward pressure oncable 20 that is disposed within orifice 175. Furthermore, actuator 170may be raised during an inactive state so that tension wheel 180 nolonger applies the downward on pressure on cable 20 that is disposedwithin orifice 175.

FIGS. 4-8B are directed to a second embodiment of a hand assist pushingtool 300. With regard to the second embodiment, descriptions ofstructures are omitted that are similar to those described above for thefirst embodiment.

Similar to the first embodiment, the second embodiment is used forintroducing cable 320 into and through a duct (not shown in FIG. 4). Asshown in FIG. 4, pushing tool 300 may include a base 340 that is coupledwith a rotatable handle 350, a stationary handle 355, and an arm rest360. During use, a user may, for example, place his left forearm in armrest 360 and grip stationary handle 355 with his left hand whileoperating rotatable handle 350 with his right hand. Arm rest 360 may becircular with a strap 361 to accommodate different sized arms. Thus,strap 361 may be used to form different sizes of arm rest 360, and maybe secured in a desired position with an adhesive, Velcro, snaps, or anyother well-known attachment means. Additionally, strap 361 may enable auser to form a tight fit between arm rest 360 and a user's arm.

As shown in FIG. 4, pushing tool 300 includes a first cable guide 385and a second cable guide 390. A drive wheel 380 may be used with firstcable guide 385 and second cable guide 390 to propel cable 320 into theduct. As discussed further below, tensioning assembly 420 may also beused to propel cable 320.

As shown in FIG. 5, a mount 400 may be coupled with base 340 to securerotatable handle 350 and drive wheel 380 to base 340. Thus, shaft 345may be disposed through rotatable handle 350 and through mount 400 sothat drive wheel 380 rotates relative to base 340 due to rotation ofrotatable handle 350. Mount 400 may include one or more openings 405through which shaft 345 may be inserted. Such openings 405 allowrotatable handle 350 (and, thus, drive wheel 380) to be disposed atvarious positions on pushing tool 10 to accommodate users of varyingsizes.

Mount 400 may also include a duct guide 410 through which the duct maybe disposed. Duct guide 110 may include an aperture sized so that theduct may be securely positioned within duct guide 410.

Tensioning assembly 420 may be coupled with base 340 through mount 400.As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, tensioning assembly 420 includes a shaft430, a spring member 450, a threaded member 440, a cam lever 470, and atension wheel 480. Shaft 430 may be coupled with tension wheel 480through a moveable connector 435 and a pin member 460. Thus, movement ofshaft 430 may also cause movement of moveable connector 435, pin member460, and tension wheel 480.

Threaded member 440 may be manipulated by a user, for example, bymanually screwing threaded member 440 relative to mount 400. Thus,threaded member 440 may be moved to multiple positions by movingdownward and upward relative to mount 400. Movement of threaded member440 relative to mount 400 may cause tension wheel 480 to form differentsized orifices 475 with drive wheel 380. For example, movement ofthreaded member 440 upward may form a relatively larger orifice 475, andmovement of threaded member 440 downward, may form a relatively smallerorifice 475. Thus, movement of threaded member 440 may accommodate fordifferent sized cables 320.

Once threaded member 440 is set in the desired position, cam lever 470may move from a first, unlocked position to a second, locked position.FIGS. 6A-7B show cam lever 470 in the locked position and FIGS. 8A and8B show cam lever 470 in the unlocked position. Movement of cam lever470 to the locked position may cause shaft 430 to move downwards toengage tension wheel 480. More specifically, shaft 430 may move downward(closer to drive wheel 380). Such downward movement of shaft 430 maycause moveable connector 435 to also move in the downward direction,which in turn may cause pin member 460 to move in the downwarddirection. This downward movement may cause tension wheel 480 to movedownward and toward drive wheel 380 so that cable 320 is securelypositioned within orifice 475. As discussed above, the size of orifice475, when tension wheel 480 is moved to the downward position, may bedetermined by the position of threaded member 440.

Tension wheel 480 and drive wheel 380 may form a complimentary andinterlocking engagement within orifice 475 in order to propel cable 320into the duct. Additionally, the downward force on tension wheel 480 mayallow tension wheel 480 to apply a sufficient amount of tension on cable320 when cable 320 is being propelled through the duct.

Movement of cam lever 470 from the second, locked position to the first,unlocked position may release the pressure exerted on cable 320 fromtension wheel 480. Thus, shaft 430 may move upward, relative to drivewheel 380 so that tension wheel 480 releases at least some pressure oncable 320. Spring member 450 may be a return spring that aids to moveshaft 430 upward, relative to drive wheel 380. Due to the upwardmovement of shaft 430, pin member 450 and moveable member 435 may alsomove upward.

Additionally, threaded member 440 may be maintained in the set positionwhen cam lever 470 is moved from the first, unlocked position to thesecond, locked position. Therefore, the size of orifice 475, whentension wheel 480 is in the downward position, is maintained in a setposition when cam lever 470 is moved from the first, unlocked positionto the second, locked position. For example, a user can set the desiredposition of threaded member 440 (and thus of orifice 475 when tensionwheel 480 is in the downward position), propel a first cable into afirst duct, move to a different location, and then propel a second cableinto a second duct while the position of threaded member 440 remains setin the desired position. Therefore, the size of orifice 475 also remainsthe same. Such may be advantageous if the first and second cables are ofthe same size, so that the user does not have to readjust the positionof threaded member 440.

Movement of cam lever 470 between the first and second positions allowsfor a quick release of tension wheel 480 from drive wheel 380. Thus,tension wheel 480 may be quickly released from engagement with drivewheel 380.

FIGS. 9-12 are directed to a third embodiment of a hand assist pushingtool 800. With regard to the second embodiment, descriptions ofstructures are omitted that are similar to those described above for thefirst embodiment.

Similar to the first embodiment, the second embodiment is used forintroducing cable 820 into and through a duct (not shown in FIG. 9). Asshown in FIG. 9, pushing tool 800 may include a base 840 that is coupledwith a rotatable handle 850, a stationary handle 855, an arm rest 860,and a mount 900. The base 840 is configured as a square tube to preventrotation of the stationary handle 855, the arm rest 860, and the mount900 relative to the base 840. Spring pins 856, 901 may be configured tocouple the stationary handle 855 and the mount 900, respectively, to thebase 860 such that the stationary handle 855 and mount 900 cannottranslate along the length of the base 840. During use, a user may, forexample, place his left forearm in arm rest 860 and grip stationaryhandle 855 with his left hand while operating rotatable handle 850 withhis right hand. Arm rest 860 may be circular with a strap 861 toaccommodate different sized arms. Thus, strap 861 may be used to formdifferent sizes of arm rest 860, and may be secured in a desiredposition with an adhesive, Velcro, snaps, or any other well-knownattachment means. Additionally, strap 861 may enable a user to form atight fit between arm rest 860 and a user's arm.

As shown in FIG. 9, pushing tool 800 includes a cable guide 890. A drivewheel 880 may cooperate with the cable guide 890 to direct the cable 820into the duct. As discussed further below, tensioning assembly 920 mayalso be used to propel cable 820.

As shown in FIG. 10, a mount 900 may be coupled with base 840 to securerotatable handle 850 and drive wheel 880 to base 840. Thus, shaft 845may be disposed through rotatable handle 850 and through mount 900 sothat drive wheel 880 rotates relative to base 840 due to rotation ofrotatable handle 850.

Mount 900 may also include a duct guide 910 through which the duct maybe disposed. Duct guide 910 may include an aperture sized so that theduct may be securely positioned within duct guide 910.

Tensioning assembly 920 may be coupled with base 840 through mount 900.As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, tensioning assembly 920 includes a shaft930, a spring member 950, an actuator 970, and a tension wheel 980.Shaft 930 may be coupled with tension wheel 980 through a moveableconnector 935, for example, via threaded connection, and a pin member960. Thus, movement of shaft 930 may also cause movement of moveableconnector 935, pin member 960, and tension wheel 980.

A threaded member 940, such a grub screw, is threaded into the actuatorand loads the spring member 950 with a force against the shaft 930. Theactuator 970 may be manipulated by a user, for example, by manuallyturning the actuator relative to mount 900. Thus, actuator 970 may bemoved to multiple positions by moving downward and upward relative tomount 900. Movement of actuator 970 relative to mount 900 may causetension wheel 980 to form different sized orifices 975 with drive wheel880. For example, movement of actuator 970 upward may form a relativelylarger orifice 975, and movement of actuator 970 downward, may form arelatively smaller orifice 975. Thus, movement of threaded member 940may accommodate for different sized cables 820.

Such downward movement of actuator 970 causes the shaft 930 to be urgeddownward under force of the spring 950, which causes the moveableconnector 935 to also move in the downward direction, which in causespin member 960 to move in the downward direction. This downward movementcauses the tension wheel 980 to move downward and toward drive wheel 880so that cable 820 is securely positioned within orifice 975. Asdiscussed above, the size of orifice 975, when tension wheel 980 ismoved to the downward position, may be determined by the position ofactuator 970.

Tension wheel 980 and drive wheel 880 may form a complimentary andinterlocking engagement within orifice 975 in order to propel cable 820into the duct. Additionally, the downward force on tension wheel 980 mayallow tension wheel 980 to apply a desired amount of tension on cable820 when cable 820 is being propelled through the duct.

Movement of cam lever 970 between the first and second positions allowsfor a quick release of tension wheel 980 from drive wheel 880. Thus,tension wheel 980 may be quickly released from engagement with drivewheel 880.

In some embodiments, pushing tool 10/300/800 may be used with a supportstructure 190, such as a tripod structure to provide added stability.Support structure may include legs that are disposed on the ground andarms that receive pushing tool 10.

In some embodiments, duct guide 110/410/810 may include one or magnets200/500/900 that are attracted to duct 30 to further stabilize duct 30within duct guide 110/410/910. More specifically, when cable 20/320/820is propelled into and through duct 30, such propulsion applies abackward force on duct 30, away from duct guide 110/410/910. Thus, duct30 may inadvertently become displaced from duct guide 110/410/910.Accordingly, magnets 200/500/900 help to further secure duct 30 withinduct guide 110/410/910 so that duct 30 does not become inadvertentlydisplaced from duct guide 110/410/910.

Pushing tool 10/300/900 may be disposed within a carrying bag 210 inorder to easily transport pushing tool 10. Carrying bag 210 may includea strap and/or wheels.

In use, cable 20 is disposed into and through first cable guide85/385/885 and second cable guide 90/390/890, and an end of duct 30 issecured in duct guide 110/410/910. Tensioning assembly 120/420/920 isattached to mount 100/400/900 so that cable 20/320/820 is disposedwithin orifice 175/475/975. The user manipulates tensioning assembly120/420/920 so that cable 20/320/820 is secured in orifice 175/475/975between tension wheel 180/480/980 and drive wheel 80/380/880. When theuser rotates rotatable handle 50, the v-shaped outer surface of tensionwheel 180/480/980 and the v-shaped outer surface of drive wheel80/380/880 engage cable 20/320/820 and cause cable 20/320/820 to be fedthrough and into duct 30. More specifically, tension wheel 180/480/880and drive wheel 80/380/880 interact to grip cable 20/320/820, causingcable 20/320/820 to be propelled into duct 30. The interaction oftension wheel 180/480/980 and drive wheel 80/380/880 also prevents orreduces cable 20/320/820 from moving backward away from duct 30.

Thus, pushing tool 10/300/800 may be a hand powered device that does notinclude the use of a motor or battery to propel cable 20/320/820 intoduct 30. Such provides a relatively smaller apparatus with reducedmanufacturing costs from the conventional electric motor or batterypowered apparatuses. In some embodiments, pushing tool 10/300/800 may bea hand powered device that includes a simple motor attached to drivewheel 80/380/880. Such allows provides a smaller apparatus with reducedmanufacturing costs Additionally, the simplicity of pushing tool10/300/800 allows cable 20/320/820 to be easily advanced into duct 30 onlocation with a minimal number of users and with no external powerrequirements.

Drive wheel 80/380/880 may be of sufficient diameter so that cable20/320/820 may be propelled into duct at one foot per revolution ofdrive wheel 80/380/880.

Pushing tool 10/300/800 may also be used to pull cable 20/320/820 out ofduct 30 by rotating drive wheel 80/380/880 in an opposite direction tothe direction of inserting cable 20/320/820.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the system of the presentdisclosure. Other embodiments of the pushing tool will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from consideration of the specification andpractice of the method disclosed herein.

Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments describedabove, where one or more of its components, functionalities orstructures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or moreof the components, functionalities, or structures of a differentembodiment described above.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to theembodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishingits intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes andmodifications be covered by the appended claims.

Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed inthe foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in theart that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure willcome to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of theteaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings.It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specificembodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein,as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a genericand descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the presentdisclosure, nor the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pushing tool for feeding cable, the pushing tool comprising: an elongated base having a length extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end; a mount configured to be adjustably coupled with the base proximate the second end; a drive wheel rotatingly coupled with the mount; a tension wheel rotatingly coupled with the mount, the tension wheel being configured to cooperate with the drive wheel to form a cable path between the tension wheel and the drive wheel, the cable path being configured to receive the cable; a tensioner coupled with the tension wheel, the tensioner including an actuator configured to adjust tension of the tension wheel on the cable being fed through the cable path; a cable guide configured to guide the cable toward the cable path; and wherein the base is configured to prevent the mount from rotating relative to the base, and the mount is configured to be fixed along the length of the base during use of the tool, wherein the mount extends outward from a side surface of the base in a first direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, wherein the cable path between the drive wheel and the tension wheel extends parallel to the base in the longitudinal direction and is laterally offset from the base in the first direction, wherein the cable guide is disposed outward from the side surface of the base in the first direction, wherein the drive wheel is configured to be manually rotated about a drive axis that extends in the first direction, and the drive wheel is configured to interact with the tension wheel upon rotation of the drive wheel to propel the cable through the cable path.
 2. The pushing tool according to claim 1, wherein the pushing tool is a hand powered device that does not include a motor or a battery to feed the cable.
 3. The pushing tool according to claim 1, wherein the drive axis intersects the base.
 4. The pushing tool according to claim 1, further comprising hinge pins configured to couple the mount with the base.
 5. The pushing tool according to claim 1, wherein the tension wheel is configured to rotate about a pin that is slidingly received in a slotted opening in the mount.
 6. The pushing tool according to claim 5, wherein the tensioner further includes a connector configured to couple the actuator with the pin.
 7. A pushing tool for feeding cable, the pushing tool comprising: an elongated base having a length extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end; a mount configured to be coupled with the base proximate the second end; a drive wheel rotatingly coupled with the mount; a tension wheel rotatingly coupled with the mount, the tension wheel being configured to cooperate with the drive wheel to form a cable path between the tension wheel and the drive wheel, the cable path being configured to receive the cable; and a tensioner coupled with the tension wheel, the tensioner including an actuator configured to adjust tension of the tension wheel on the cable being fed through the cable path, wherein the mount extends outward from a side surface of the base in a first direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, wherein the cable path between the drive wheel and the tension wheel extends parallel to the base in the longitudinal direction and is laterally offset from the base in the first direction, wherein the drive wheel is configured to be manually rotated about a drive axis that extends in the first direction, and the drive wheel is configured to interact with the tension wheel upon rotation of the drive wheel to propel the cable through the cable path.
 8. The pushing tool according to claim 7, wherein the pushing tool is a hand powered device that does not include a motor or a battery to feed the cable.
 9. The pushing tool according to claim 7, wherein the drive axis intersects the base.
 10. The pushing tool according to claim 7, further comprising hinge pins configured to couple the mount with the base.
 11. The pushing tool according to claim 7, wherein the tension wheel is configured to rotate about a pin that is slidingly received in a slotted opening in the mount.
 12. The pushing tool according to claim 11, wherein the tensioner further includes a connector configured to couple the actuator with the pin.
 13. A pushing tool for feeding cable, the pushing tool comprising: an elongated base having a length extending in a longitudinal direction; a mount configured to be coupled with the base; a drive wheel rotatingly coupled with the mount; a tension wheel rotatingly coupled with the mount, the tension wheel being configured to cooperate with the drive wheel to form a cable path between the tension wheel and the drive wheel, the cable path being configured to receive the cable; a tensioner coupled with the tension wheel, the tensioner including an actuator configured to adjust tension of the tension wheel on the cable being fed through the cable path; wherein the cable path between the drive wheel and the tension wheel extends parallel to the base in the longitudinal direction and is laterally offset from the base in a first direction, wherein the drive wheel is configured to be manually rotated about a drive axis that extends in the first direction, and the drive wheel is configured to interact with the tension wheel to propel the cable through the cable path.
 14. The pushing tool according to claim 13, wherein the pushing tool is a hand powered device that does not include a motor or a battery to feed the cable.
 15. The pushing tool according to claim 13, wherein the drive axis intersects the base.
 16. The pushing tool according to claim 13, further comprising hinge pins configured to couple the mount with the base.
 17. The pushing tool according to claim 13, wherein the tension wheel is configured to rotate about a pin that is slidingly received in a slotted opening in the mount.
 18. The pushing tool according to claim 17, wherein the tensioner further includes a connector configured to couple the actuator with the pin.
 19. The pushing tool according to claim 13, further comprising a cable guide configured to guide the cable toward the cable path; and a duct guide configured to hold a duct, which is configured to receive the cable.
 20. The pushing tool according to claim 13, wherein the base is configured to prevent the mount from rotating relative to the base, wherein the mount is configured to be fixed along the length of the base during use of the tool. 